Category Archives: The Departed

Early this morning, my father WhatsApped me to inform me that one of my aunts – his sister – has just passed away. She was 90. She was a great and generous cook; each year, I would look forward to … Continue reading →

Nian was born in 1926. In 1942, the Japanese invaders were indiscriminately raping young girls. So, at 16, Nian was quickly married off to a man who was much older than her. They adopted a baby boy. But the husband … Continue reading →

For decades, Tsang Tsou Choi – shirtless, a towel around his neck, supported by crutches – roamed the streets of Hong Kong armed with bottles of black ink and a calligraphy brush. From the 1950s to the 2000s, he turned … Continue reading →

My dear friend Bee Ong (born May 6, 1970) passed away yesterday. Bee has always been a source of comfort to me whenever I needed a soothing balm for my troubled heart. Bee, I have been blessed by your life … Continue reading →

The Rev David Maurice Kimpton (born January 24, 1937) passed away in New Zealand yesterday. David, the much-loved pastor and longtime friend of over 40 years, was dearly loved husband and best friend of Margaret for nearly 60 years; father … Continue reading →

A 17-year-old was arrested by Central Narcotics Bureau officers in February and charged in court in June. He committed suicide in September. There were traces of drugs in his blood. Also, he had been questioned at Ang Mo Kio police … Continue reading →

Donald Rumsfeld croaked in June. Good riddance to bad rubbish. The orange Donald is plain stupid; this Donald was evil incarnate. Two notable Rumsfeld vomita: “Reports that say that something hasn’t happened are always interesting to me, because as we … Continue reading →

Final farewell to my dear and much-missed friend Heinz. Below are excerpts of a letter I received in April from his wife:

Heinz Schwarzkopf November 10th 1950 August 26th 2020 I first met Heinz Schwarzkopf about ten years ago. He subsequently visited Singapore a few more times. He visited twice in 2017,  first, to attend a gathering organized by local pipe-smoking friends … Continue reading →